OwnHomeMap vs Mapdesign: which city map poster creator should you choose?

OwnHomeMap vs Mapdesign: the complete comparison

Looking for a personalized city map poster and torn between OwnHomeMap and Mapdesign? Both services let you create wall art from real cartographic data, but their approaches differ significantly. Mapdesign is a French company specializing in map posters with a "Made in France" positioning, while OwnHomeMap casts a wider net with more themes, shapes, and language support. This detailed comparison will help you make the right choice for your needs.

In short: OwnHomeMap is the ideal choice if you want a wide selection of themes (17 vs. 4 styles), varied shapes (circle, heart, rectangle), instant digital download, and a site available in 8 languages. Mapdesign is a better fit if you are a hiker or runner who wants to overlay a GPS track on your map, or if the "Made in France" label is an important criterion for you.

OwnHomeMap vs Mapdesign comparison table

Criterion	OwnHomeMap	Mapdesign
Price (digital)	From EUR 29	Not available
Price (print)	From EUR 39	Approx. EUR 40-60
Visual themes	17 (terracotta, blueprint, neon cyberpunk, japanese ink, midnight blue, etc.)	4 styles (modern, vintage, outdoor, classic)
Poster shapes	Circle, heart, rectangle	Rectangle
Road hierarchy	5 levels (motorway to residential street)	Standard
Waterways	Yes (toggleable layer)	Yes
Parks & green spaces	Yes (toggleable layer)	Depends on style
GPS track	No	Yes (route overlay)
Data source	OpenStreetMap	Not disclosed (likely OSM)
Custom text	Yes	Yes
Site languages	8 (FR, EN, DE, ES, PT, PT-BR, NL, IT)	French primarily
Digital download option	Yes (instant HD PNG)	No
Made in France	No	Yes
Special products	--	Meeting place, GPS track
Frame option	Yes (+EUR 20)	Yes
Paper quality	200 g/m² matte	Not disclosed

Pricing in detail

Budget is often the first consideration. Here is what each service offers.

OwnHomeMap has transparent, upfront pricing. The digital download starts at EUR 29 -- the most accessible entry point, and the file is delivered instantly by email. Printed posters range from EUR 39 (US Letter size) to EUR 69 (large 18x24 inch format). The frame option adds EUR 20 to any print order. No hidden fees for EU deliveries.

Mapdesign does not offer a digital download -- only printed posters. Prices fall in a comparable range for prints, around EUR 40 to 60 depending on size and options. As a Made in France brand, production takes place in France, which may justify a slightly higher price point.

If you are on a tight budget or need a last-minute gift, OwnHomeMap's digital option at EUR 29 is a decisive advantage. For more on market pricing, see our city map poster pricing guide.

Styles and design

This is where the two services differ most noticeably.

OwnHomeMap: 17 unique themes

OwnHomeMap offers 17 carefully designed themes, each with its own color palette for roads, water, parks, and background. These are not simple color variations but fully realized visual worlds: warm terracotta, technical blueprint, futuristic neon cyberpunk, minimalist japanese ink, soft warm beige, romantic pastel dream, luminous sunset, deep midnight blue, and many more.

Each theme colors every element of the map cohesively -- motorways, side streets, bodies of water, and green spaces each have their own color within the chosen theme. The result is a harmonious poster, not a map where someone simply changed the background color.

In terms of shapes, OwnHomeMap lets you choose between a circle, a heart, and a rectangle. The heart shape is particularly popular for couple gifts or wedding anniversary presents.

Mapdesign: 4 styles, including "outdoor" with contour lines

Mapdesign offers four styles: modern, vintage, outdoor, and classic. The selection is more limited, but each style has its own identity. The outdoor style is the most distinctive -- it incorporates contour lines reminiscent of topographic maps, an aesthetic that hiking enthusiasts particularly appreciate.

It is a deliberate positioning choice: where OwnHomeMap bets on diversity, Mapdesign bets on a focused catalog.

Cartographic data

The quality of a map poster depends above all on the accuracy of the underlying data.

OwnHomeMap uses OpenStreetMap data with detailed road hierarchy rendering across 5 levels. Motorways, primary roads, secondary roads, residential streets, and minor paths are each drawn with distinct widths and colors. Waterways and parks are toggleable layers -- you can show or hide them depending on the desired look. This granularity produces a map that truly resembles the city as it is, not a simplified version.

Mapdesign also displays a detailed street network, although the level of road hierarchy is not as explicitly documented. The outdoor style adds an extra dimension with contour lines -- topographic information that OwnHomeMap does not offer.

Customization

Beyond graphic style, each service offers different customization options.

GPS track overlay: Mapdesign's standout feature

Mapdesign's most distinctive feature is the ability to overlay a GPS track on the map. A hiker can display their favorite trail. A runner can immortalize their first marathon. A cyclist can trace their Sunday morning route.

It is a niche use case, but a powerful one. If your poster is intended for someone sporty who wants to hang a memento of a specific route on their wall, Mapdesign answers that need -- one that OwnHomeMap does not currently cover.

"Meeting place": an original concept

Mapdesign also offers a "Meeting place" product page dedicated to marking the spot where two people first met. It is a well-thought-out marketing concept that makes gift-buying easier for couples -- even though technically, you can achieve the same result on any map poster generator by centering the map on the right address.

Toggleable layers and shapes: OwnHomeMap's edge

On its side, OwnHomeMap offers deeper customization of the cartographic rendering itself. Water and park layers can be toggled independently -- a detail that significantly changes the look depending on the chosen city. A coastal city like Marseille renders quite differently with or without the water bodies.

The three mask shapes (circle, heart, rectangle) add an extra dimension. The heart is a classic choice for sentimental gifts, while the circle gives a contemporary, clean look. Mapdesign only offers the rectangle format.

Formats and delivery

OwnHomeMap offers two delivery modes: instant digital download (HD PNG) and postal delivery of printed posters on 200 g/m² matte paper. The digital option is a major advantage for last-minute gifts or recipients abroad -- no shipping costs, no delays, no risk of damage during transit.

Mapdesign, as a Made in France brand, focuses on production and shipping from France. This is a compelling argument for buyers who care about manufacturing origin and the carbon footprint of shipping. The lack of a digital option means you need to factor in production and delivery time for every order.

User experience and languages

OwnHomeMap is available in 8 languages: French, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Dutch, and Italian. The editor offers a real-time preview during creation -- you see the final result evolve as you make your choices.

Mapdesign is primarily a French-language site. That is an advantage if you are a French speaker who does not want to navigate a translated-from-English interface, but it is a barrier if you want to share the creation link with someone who does not speak French.

Who is each service for?

Choose OwnHomeMap if you...

• Want a wide selection of themes to find the one that matches your interior (17 options)
• Are looking for an original shape like the heart for a couple's gift
• Need a last-minute gift thanks to instant digital download
• Want a detailed poster with 5-level road hierarchy and toggleable water/park layers
• Are gifting someone abroad and want to avoid international shipping costs
• Want a site in your language (8 languages available)
• Want to compare before you buy -- pricing is displayed upfront, no surprises

Choose Mapdesign if you...

• Are a hiker, runner, or cyclist and want to display a GPS track on your map
• Value the Made in France label and local production
• Prefer a smaller but more focused catalog (the outdoor style is unique on the market)
• Are specifically looking to mark a meeting place with a product dedicated to that concept
• Are a French speaker and prefer a site natively designed in French

Still cannot decide?

If you are primarily looking for a beautiful city map poster to hang on your wall and the GPS track feature does not apply to you, OwnHomeMap offers more flexibility with its 17 themes, varied shapes, and digital option. If the GPS track is at the heart of your project, Mapdesign is the right choice.

For a broader comparison including other services (Mapiful, Grafomap, MixPlaces...), see our comparison of the 7 best city map poster websites.

Our verdict

Both services are reputable and produce quality posters. Mapdesign deserves credit for its Made in France positioning and its GPS track feature, which addresses a real need among outdoor enthusiasts. It is a well-designed product for a specific audience.

OwnHomeMap offers a more versatile experience: more themes, more shapes, more languages, a digital option, and toggleable cartographic layers that let you fine-tune the rendering. For the majority of buyers looking for a city map poster as wall decor or as a gift, that versatility makes the difference.

The good news is that both sites let you preview your poster before buying. The simplest way to choose is to try them both.

Create your city map poster on OwnHomeMap and see the result in just a few clicks.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mapdesign a good site for map posters?

Yes, Mapdesign is a reputable French service that produces quality city map posters. Its strongest feature is the ability to overlay a GPS track on the map, making it an excellent choice for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. Its catalog is more limited than OwnHomeMap's (4 styles vs. 17 themes), but each style is polished -- particularly the outdoor style with contour lines.

What is the best alternative to Mapdesign?

OwnHomeMap is the most comprehensive alternative to Mapdesign for city map posters. It offers 17 visual themes, varied shapes (circle, heart, rectangle), toggleable water and park layers, and instant digital download from EUR 29. If you are specifically looking for the GPS track feature, Mapdesign remains the best choice on that particular point. For a full overview of alternatives, see our comparison of the best sites.

Can I get an affordable city map poster?

OwnHomeMap's digital download at EUR 29 is one of the most accessible options on the market for a quality map poster built from real cartographic data. Mapdesign does not offer a digital version, which sets its entry price higher. For a detailed market pricing comparison, see our pricing guide.

Which site should I choose for a last-minute gift?

OwnHomeMap is the only one of the two that offers an instant digital download. You create your poster, pay, and the high-resolution PNG file is available immediately by email. You can send it directly to the recipient or print it yourself. Mapdesign requires production and delivery time. For more last-minute gift ideas, see our custom city map guide.